Robert Jenrick, a candidate for Conservative leadership, asserted that he could eliminate small boat crossings within “weeks” if he were to become prime minister. As the party prepares for a leadership transition where either Jenrick or Kemi Badenoch will succeed Rishi Sunak, he expressed his views during an interview with BBC Radio Kent. Jenrick revealed his resignation from the government stemmed from a desire to avoid being another minister who failed to fulfill promises regarding the issue of small boat crossings.

By early 2024, it has been reported that 561 small boats had crossed the Channel, carrying over 29,000 migrants. The Home Office reiterated its commitment to dismantling human trafficking networks and bringing those responsible to justice. When asked about his proposed timeline for addressing the crossings, Jenrick stated his belief that implementing his earlier strategies could effectively halt the boats within weeks and alleviate suffering in areas like Dover.

During his tenure as immigration minister, Jenrick engaged with residents in Dover who expressed concerns about the ongoing small boat crisis. He noted their fear and emphasized the need to withdraw from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), proposing a replacement with a British Bill of Rights. He pointed out issues such as overcrowding at facilities like Manston and strained local services for children due to an influx of unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors.

To tackle the boat crossings directly, Jenrick proposed immediate deportation of individuals arriving in the UK to either their home countries or safe third countries such as Rwanda. This scheme, initiated by the Conservative government, aimed to deter illegal crossings but faced significant legal challenges and was ultimately abandoned by the new Labour administration.

Dominic Grieve, a former Conservative MP and Attorney General, criticized claims that leaving the ECHR would resolve these issues. He highlighted that only 41% of individuals denied asylum since 2010 have been removed from the UK, attributing many cases not to ECHR constraints but rather to difficulties in returning individuals to their home countries.

The Home Office emphasized its commitment to ending perilous small boat journeys that threaten lives and compromise border security. They condemned people-smuggling operations that exploit vulnerable individuals solely for profit and announced initiatives aimed at enhancing global cooperation to combat these criminal enterprises.

Kemi Badenoch declined an interview request from BBC but is acknowledged as a leading candidate in this leadership race.